Finland, Iran ink deal on customs cooperation

TEHRAN: The customs services of Iran and Finland signed an agreement on cooperation, IRNA agency reported on April 19.

Following talks between Head of Iran’s Customs Administration (IRICA) Masoud Karbasian and Director General of Finnish Customs Antti Hartikainen, an agreement on cooperation in the fight against illegal drugs and customs regulations was signed in the Finnish capital of Helsinki.

The two countries will promote cooperation on custom regulations, products’ value and classification, enforcing rules, transportation rules and the way to fight narcotic drugs and psychoactive drugs.

Both sides discussed challenges and cross-border trade opportunities and the ways to foster trade relations.

The Iranian and Finnish officials also agreed on feasibility of electronic information exchange and electronic inquiry.

Tehran and Helsinki are attempting to rebuild the bilateral trade, having contracted from a high of $200 million in 2006 to a low of $23 million in 2014 due to the international sanctions imposed on Iran over its nuclear program.

Following the removal of the international sanctions, Iran is seeking long-term, strategic economic ties with European countries in general, and Finland in particular, with a focus on joint investment in all economic, technical and executive domains.

The environment, industry, information technology (IT), telecommunication, and modern technologies are among key cooperation areas Finland can collaborate with Iran.